Trevor

Neil Freeman · Post by **Neil Freeman** » Fri Mar 29, 2019 6:57 pm

A nice selection there Trevor, I particularly like that first Speckled Wood, a lovely fresh example

Cheers,

Neil.

millerd · Post by **millerd** » Fri Mar 29, 2019 8:23 pm

Yes, nice Specklies, Trevor - and the others as well. Female Brimstones definitely like dandelions - I found one today that just wasn't going to budge however close I got!

I wish you hadn't mentioned the hats and gloves - I've also just seen the forecast from the start of British "Summer" Time on Sunday...

Cheers,

Dave

Wurzel · Post by **Wurzel** » Fri Mar 29, 2019 8:35 pm

Lovely Brimstone Lady Trevor and a great set of Specklies

I look forward to the Specklies arriving as then I know that it shouldn't be too long until the Greenstreaks and Grizzlies etc start to put in an appearance

Have a goodun

Wurzel

David M · Post by **David M** » Fri Mar 29, 2019 9:30 pm

Heartwarming selection of images, Trevor, particularly those Specklies, which I fear I'm going to HAVE to find this weekend otherwise it might be mid-April given the weather forecast!

trevor · Post by **trevor** » Sat Mar 30, 2019 7:03 pm

Many thanks, everyone, Speckled Wood numbers are increasing daily around here.

Considering the very fine weather today, the number of Butterfles seen was surprisingly low.
No Commas at all, and only a handful of manic Peacocks. Male Brimstones were quite abundant
but none stopped. At least the Specklies were obliging.

Trevor.

Wurzel · Post by **Wurzel** » Sat Mar 30, 2019 8:04 pm

Lovely Specklies Trevor

I reckon that if the butterflies round your way were even half as solar charged/twitchy as those round my way that could explain the low numbers Trevor

Have a goodun

Wurzel

trevor · Post by **trevor** » Sun Mar 31, 2019 6:04 pm

I had a surprisingly bountiful day today, given the very strong, cool breeze blowing.
No fewer than nine Small Tortoiseshells were found basking or nectaring at Halnaker.
Presumably, they were all fresh from hibernation. The roof space in the farm buildings
provides ideal Winter protection for them, and they are seen every year at about this
time, and always make for the same piece of ground, which offers plenty of Dandelions and Nettles.

No other species were seen today.

Trevor.

Wurzel · Post by **Wurzel** » Sun Mar 31, 2019 9:25 pm

It was hard work butterflying round my way today Trevor so your haul of 9 Small Torts definitely deserves

. I finding the build of Small Torts is taking a bit longer this year as the season seems to be stop-starting

Have a goodun

Wurzel

David M · Post by **David M** » Mon Apr 01, 2019 5:50 am

Nine Tortoiseshells is some going, Trevor - in fact it's three times as many as I've seen all year!

Andrew555 · Post by **Andrew555** » Mon Apr 01, 2019 9:41 am

A cluster of Small Torts ? Lovely stuff.

trevor · Post by **trevor** » Fri Apr 05, 2019 5:50 am

The Sunrise here in East Sussex this morning, 5/4/2019 at 06.20

Goldie M · Post by **Goldie M** » Fri Apr 05, 2019 10:45 am

Hi! Trevor, fantastic shot of the Sunrise

we've yet to see the Sun for a while too much cloud, you were lucky to see all those Small Torts in that cold wind ,well done,! I went round my local spot and saw nothing even in the sheltered area's , I'm hoping tomorrow will be better

Goldie

trevor · Post by **trevor** » Fri Apr 05, 2019 11:15 am

I'm glad you enjoyed the Sunrise Goldie, it was one of the best I've seen.

And a lifetime first this morning!.

In the vain hope of finding some Butterflies, I risked a trip to the old railway this morning.
As I was carefully searching an area which can be good for an early Holly Blue, I noticed the
unmistakable shape of a Brimstone wing tip protruding from under a leaf. Lifting the leaf to
have a better look, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a mating pair.
I have done quite well with temporarily immobile Brimstones so far this season, but this pair
were in no hurry to complete their act, and were still locked in their embrace an hour later.

It was worth going out after all!.
Trevor.

Pauline · Post by **Pauline** » Fri Apr 05, 2019 12:46 pm

That's a lovely shot of the sunrise Trevor and well found with the mating Brimstones. They're usually well camouflaged and well-hidden so you did well to spot them.

Wurzel · Post by **Wurzel** » Fri Apr 05, 2019 5:46 pm

That is a cracking find Trevor and a species I've yet to add to my In Cop Collection

It really reveals the the difference in colour between the male and female

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Neil Freeman · Post by **Neil Freeman** » Fri Apr 05, 2019 7:05 pm

Great find with the mating Brimstones Trevor.

A cracking selection of Small Tortoiseshells too, they really show off the variation that can be found in this species.

Cheers,

Neil.

millerd · Post by **millerd** » Fri Apr 05, 2019 7:31 pm

Very envious of that pairing, Trevor - not one I've see either, though I've seen endless rounds of courtship. A very nice find.

Cheers,

Dave

bugboy · Post by **bugboy** » Fri Apr 05, 2019 7:45 pm

Great stuff Trevor, Like Dave I've watched countless desperate males being rejected but never managed a pair in cop

essexbuzzard · Post by **essexbuzzard** » Fri Apr 05, 2019 9:42 pm

Me neither. Well done Trev!

trevor · Post by **trevor** » Fri Apr 05, 2019 10:02 pm

Many thanks folks. Further research today suggests that finding Brimstones mating
is quite rare, as they usually choose to copulate on the underside of a leaf.
Indeed this was the case today.

I thought a couple more images of the pair might be in order. I might add that after
photographing them I carefully replaced the surrounding foliage in a similar fashion
to how I found it.

Trevor

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